【Energy Hammer U-18 Beach Soccer Cup 2026】Announced! Youth Generation, 'Fly, in the Bay Wind!'

Loewe Yokohama Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director: Hiroya Matsukawa), which operates the beach soccer club 'Loewe Yokohama' (Home base: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture), is pleased to announce that it has decided to hold a beach soccer tournament for high school students in August.

Following the first men's tournament held in August 2025 and the first women's tournament held in July 2025, this tournament, the 'Energy Hammer U-18 Beach Soccer Cup 2026', will be held with sponsorship from Area Project Co., Ltd. / Energy Hammer, under the leadership of the Kanagawa Football Association Beach Soccer Committee, and with the cooperation of Iwasaki Gakuen Educational Corporation.

Since its founding in 2015, Loewe Yokohama has been active based in Seya-ku, Yokohama City, continuing club management that values not only improving competitive performance but also connections with the local community. Amidst significant changes in the environment surrounding the club, this initiative is being implemented to further develop the three aspects of competition, community, and business.

◼️Tournament Overview / Details

◼︎Simultaneous Men's and Women's Tournament Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (Public Holiday), 16:00-21:00 Recruiting Teams: High school boys / 6 teams, High school girls / 6 teams Minimum Guaranteed Matches: 5 matches

◼︎Men's Only Tournament Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 16:00-21:00 Recruiting Teams: High school boys / 12 teams Minimum Guaranteed Matches: 5 matches

◼︎Purpose This tournament aims to promote beach soccer among the youth generation and create new opportunities for challenge. Due to activity restrictions from extreme heat and lack of night game facilities, the environment where students can play freely is limited. To address these issues, this tournament aims to broaden the options for competitive environments. Furthermore, by experiencing the extraordinary field of the beach, it provides opportunities for new stimulation and discovery, as well as fostering growth and a spirit of challenge beyond the boundaries of competition.

◼︎Content This tournament is a new style event that combines futsal and beach soccer. Teams compete in two events: beach soccer (4 vs 4, half-court) and futsal (5 vs 5), with the overall ranking determined by the results of each. Teams' adaptability, tactical ability, and overall strength are tested across different fields (artificial turf and sandy beach) and different team sizes.

◼️Comment from Shunsuke Kosugi, President of Area Project Co., Ltd. We are very pleased to be able to hold the 'Energy Hammer U-18 Beach Soccer Cup'. As a company born and raised in Yokohama City, Area Project Co., Ltd. has cherished the desire to support the young generation who will lead the future of the region. We are holding this tournament with the hope that it will be an opportunity for the citizens of Yokohama and high school students who enjoy soccer in Yokohama to experience the joy of challenge and the importance of working together with teammates through sports. Beach soccer is a dynamic sport played on the special stage of a sandy beach. It requires not just winning or losing, but the courage to take on challenges, bonds with teammates, and a never-give-up attitude. We want to support the passionate play of these high school students and encourage their challenges. Yokohama has a wonderful foundation for people to connect through sports and culture. We hope this tournament will not only deepen exchanges among high school students but also provide an opportunity for the local community to feel the achievements of the younger generation up close, growing into an event that further energizes the people and city of Yokohama.

◼️About Energy Hammer Yokohama-born! 'Energy Hammer' is a regionally circulating craft energy drink created to restore the vitality of Yokohama, which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to energize people and the city. The catchphrase is 'Otsukare Hammer!'. It delivers powerful energy to those who work hard today, as if catching the bay wind. [Three Features of Energy Hammer] 1. Sustainable manufacturing through upcycling: Uses flavorful malt extract liquid, made from valuable malt lees (malt grain) that would normally be discarded during the brewing process of 'Yokohama Beer', as a raw material. Products are made with consideration for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 2. Punchy, refreshing stimulation woven by spices: The strong aroma and pungent spiciness of ginger harmonize with the refreshing fragrance of cardamom and the numbing stimulation of green Sichuan pepper. The richness of malt adds depth, creating a profound taste and a refreshing sensation like a sea breeze. 3. A 'regional circulation' mechanism where the more you drink, the more the city benefits: A portion of sales is returned to fund regional contribution events, directly contributing to the revitalization of Yokohama City. Furthermore, tasks such as attaching bottle labels are outsourced to continuous employment support type B offices, supporting social participation and job creation for people with disabilities. The label, featuring a 'Pegasus' (with the character 'Hama' hidden in its mane) designed by Yokohama-born and resident muralist/painter Kensuke Takahashi, inspired by Yokohama as the birthplace of modern horse racing, is a distinctive mark.

◼️Iwasaki Gakuen Educational Corporation Iwasaki Gakuen Educational Corporation is a comprehensive educational institution founded in 1927, headquartered in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. It operates seven vocational schools and one graduate university, providing practical vocational education and thorough job placement support in a wide range of fields including IT, medical care, beauty, and childcare.